MEET OUR TEAM

Hi, My name is Juanita.

I am a proud mum of four amazing kids, wife and owner of Kowhai Consultancy Services.

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We operate three Early Childhood Education centers and provide essential social services to the northern Waikato community.

At the heart of our work is the desire to build a nurturing space for children and families, where everyone feels valued.

We understand the importance of trust, care, and dedication, values we hold close both as a business and as a family.

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Our commitment is to serve with integrity, ensuring that the families we work with receive the highest level of care and support.

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Lynn has two adult sons, Josh and Aaron, who are both currently studying at tertiary level. She enjoyed bringing them up on her own for many years and is now loving spending her free time with her friends and wider family exploring her many different interests.

Lynn went back to study and get her teaching degree when she was 49, which was the start of an incredible journey. Lynn started working at The Children's Garden straight from Uni in 2018, originally at the Preschool Centre, but then moved over to our Babies and Toddlers Centre mid 2022. She is now the Team Leader here and is loving her new role.

Lynn thoroughly enjoys her job for three main reasons, the precious children, building relationships and supporting the whanau from where they come and working with the amazing team in both centers.

Sophie has been working in and studying early childhood education since 2016. She has relieved across of a range of different childcare centres and is really passionate about her job and passing her knowledge onto our children.

Sophie loves being a child's source of comfort and seeing their little personalities grow. She loves getting outdoors on Bush Kindy and watching the reactions and excitement of the kids when it comes to messy play.

Sophie hopes to have her own children one day, but for now her heart is filled by her three cats, five sheep, five chicken and pond full of fish. When she's not looking after her pets, you can find Sophie out on the family boat, at the gym or spending time with her friends and family. 

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"I have built some really special relationships with our tamariki and I feel so fortunate to work alongside an amazing team of people who are all so friendly and helpful."

Hi, I’m Michelle

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I’m a teacher working with children aged 0 to 3 and have been teaching throughout my adult life.

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I absolutely love what I do!!

 I have a young family with my partner, and we enjoy spending time outdoors, exploring nature, and getting creative with different resources.

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I look forward to connecting with whānau and watching your children thrive!

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Rebekah (or Bek as most know her) started her teaching journey when she was 19. She has enjoyed teaching in all age areas and different centres.

She found her real passion through project approach inspired by Reggio Emilia. It was at this stage she thrived, enjoying the interaction of the four years. She enjoyed creating activities that children could use, to lay a foundation for school, and believes in interweaving interests into learning.

Through her own children she has learnt a lot about inclusion, speech therapy and the importance of respectful relationships.

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She believes in allowing children to grow to their full potential and looks forward to working along side you and your whanau. 

I’ve been working with children for several years in centres,  home based care and I've also spent quite a bit of time as a relief teacher. I enjoy helping children to develop and grow.

In my spare time I like working on our small farm in Welcome Bay, building our gardens to become more and more self sufficient.

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Staci has been teaching since her studies began in 2014. She has taught right across the North Island. Starting in Wellington, moving up to Auckland, across to Ōpōtiki and finally settling in Tauranga.

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Staci firmly believes that everyday brings a new adventure, and she loves to take part in these different adventures with the children, asking and answering questions and really taking advantage of these spontaneous teaching moments.

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"An environment that shows the true meaning of Manaakitanga, Kotahitanga and Whakawhanaungatanga helps both of our tamariki and kaimahi to thrive! And after searching right across the motu, I feel that I have found this at the “Children's Garden!"

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Outside of the Children's Garden, you'll find Staci running her busy daughter between music, drama, swimming, netball, softball and karate. You'll also find Staci partaking in karate as she works hard towards gaining her black belt.

Nat is a qualified ECE and primary teacher with a huge passion for ECE education. She strongly believes in inspiring children to achieve their goals, interests and personal strengths and loves to provide a nurturing safe environment for them to learn in. Nat has a particular interest in creating learning experiences that will challenge and support children through their transition to school.

She loves that The Children's Garden as a centre is focused on encouraging children to learn in a natural environment. She aims to ensure our children feel a sense of empowerment and enjoyment as they learn.

Outside of work, Nat is married with two children and loves spending her time making a difference in young children’s lives.

Currently on maternity leave.